Tunisian professional journalists. There are today in Tunisia 1021 professional journalists
(as compared to 639 in 1990). About 35% of Tunisian professional journalists are women. 53% are university graduates
and about half are under the age of 40. Journalists and publishers have their own-elected organizations.
Constitutional and legal framework. Freedom of opinion
and expression is guaranteed by the Tunisian Constitution. Since November 7, 1987, legal initiatives were undertaken
to further promote pluralism in the media and safeguard the rights of journalists. The Press Code was amended in
1988, 1993 and 2001. The most recent amendments eliminated the charge of "defaming public order". Legally,
no newspaper can be suspended without a court decision. Since November 1987, not a newspaper or magazine was suspended.
Since then also, no journalist was detained for media-related activities.
The Tunisian Constitution calls upon political parties to shun any form of fanaticism, racism, and discrimination
(article 8). Tunisian law prohibits hate speech, expressions of bigotry and incitement to commit acts of terrorist
violence. (Laws of 1993 and 2003).
Public advertising: The overwhelming majority of Tunisian
newspapers and magazines, including opposition publications and independent newspapers, receive public advertising.
Private advertising is not regulated and constitutes about 75 % of print media advertising revenue.
Support to opposition media. In addition to the financial
grants provided directly by the state to political parties, all opposition newspapers benefit, from incentives
allowing them to get back 60% of the costs of newspaper production. The national press benefits from numerous indirect
forms of support, including exemptions from customs duties for all printing materials. The state also bears a large
part of the cost of international newspaper distribution. On average, the assistance granted by the state to opposition
covers the production and printing costs of a weekly publication with a circulation of 15,000 copies. Based on
the 1999 amendments of the law regarding the public financing of political parties, the State allocates an annual
budget of 120,000 dinars to dailies and weeklies published by political parties and 30,000 dinars to other periodicals.
As of january1 , 2008, these subsidies were increased to 240,000 dinars for dailies and weeklies and 180,000 for
monthlies.
The Tunisian head of state, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, has consistently encouraged journalists to be more
enterprising. He has called on the media "to be more daring" and to make sure that "issues are addressed
impartially, boldly and responsibly."
Print media. There are today 265 Tunisian newspapers
and magazines (compared to 91 in 1987). The overwhelming majority of these publications are privately-owned and
editorially-independent. Opposition parties publish their own newspapers. Many organizations and professional unions
put out their own publications. (Amongst them, the Tunisian General Worker's Union, which publishes a weekly newspaper).
Private radio and television stations. "Radio Mosaique
FM," the first-ever private radio station in Tunisia started broadcasting on November 2003. A second private
FM radio station "Radio Jawhara" was also launched in july 2005. A private satellite TV channel, "Hannibal
TV," started broadcasting in February 2005. A new private FM station dubbed "Ezzeitouna for the Holy
Koran" was launched in september 2007. "Ezzeitouna" is meant to promote Tunisia's values of moderation,
tolerance and mutual aid through the spread of the noble values of Islam. Other private radio and TV stations are
expected in the future. The launch of private radio and TV stations came after President Ben Ali announced "the
opening of the audiovisual landscape to the private sector" and the widening of the prerogatives of "the
Higher Communication Council" to include the examination of applications for private radio and television
stations in the future.
Diversity and pluralism in radio and television broadcasting. Radio
and television cater to the different concerns of Tunisian audiences. Parliamentary hearings are broadcast live
on TV. Live radio and television talk-shows include the views of opposition representatives. Beside national public
radio and television broadcasts, five regional radio stations cover various parts of the country. Special radio
and television channels ("TV 21" and "Youth Radio") cater to young audiences.
Foreign reporters in Tunisia. Hundreds of foreign reporters
visit Tunisia each year, while about 100 foreign correspondents are permanently based in Tunis. All correspondents
and special envoys enjoy adequate conditions for the free exercise of their profession.
Access to foreign media. About 1091 foreign publications
and newspapers are distributed in the country (as compared to 450 such publications in 1987). Virtually all Tunisian
households have access to radio and television. About half Tunisian homes are equipped with satellite dishes. Two
foreign television companies provide access by subscription to international broadcasts including American and
other English language programming.
Linguistic diversity in the media. Four of the nine
dailies are published in French. The remaining are in Arabic. Weekly newspapers are published in Arabic, French,
English and Italian. Radio and television broadcasts are mostly in Arabic. Daily television news programs are also
broadcast in French and English. Tunis international radio station broadcasts in French, English, German, Italian
and Spanish.
Tunisian media and the Internet. Professional journalists
enjoy special low-cost Internet connection rates. Major Tunisian newspapers and magazines are available online.
Tunisian radio and television broadcast live on the Internet
More on Internet in Tunisia
